CHARLESTON W.Va. (WVDN) — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has filed a lawsuit against a St. Albans man for allegedly violating the state’s Consumer Credit and Protection Act by entering into contracts with consumers to perform home improvement projects that were ultimately incomplete or substandard.
To date, three formal complaints have been lodged against James Price for accepting payments from consumers and providing contracting services that were substandard, incomplete or not provided at all and that he refused to repair their issues or refund their payments.
“This lawsuit is a warning to anyone who thinks they can cheat consumers and get away with it,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “Let this be a lesson to those intending to cheat consumers: you must follow the law if you want to do business in West Virginia, and be honest about your work.”
“Those who defraud consumers must be held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
According to the lawsuit, Price has been engaged in the sale and provision of home improvement contracting services since at least December 2022.
Though three complaints have been filed, the Attorney General seeks “to secure consumer restitution and other equitable relief for all victims of Price, including those not presently known but who may become known” during this litigation.
In addition to providing incomplete or substandard work, Price was never properly licensed with through Contractor Licensing Board. Even though Price had a valid HVAC Technician card he has never had a contractor license from the Contractor Licensing Board, required on any job where the cost of labor and materials is $5,000 or more.
The Attorney General is asking the Cabell County Circuit Court to permanently ban Price from providing home improvement or contracting services in any capacity. Additionally, the Attorney General is asking for financial restitution, civil penalties and attorney’s fees that resulted in the investigation and litigation of this matter.
Read a copy of the lawsuit here.
Anyone who believes they are a victim of this unlicensed contractor, or any other scam, can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 800-368-8808 or visit the office online at www.ago.wv.gov.
